11 Facts About Greymouth

Greymouth is the largest town in the West Coast region in the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the Grey District Council.

The mean annual rainfall Greymouth receives is high by New Zealand standards and is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year.

Since its founding Greymouth has experienced two dozen floods by the Grey River, with many of the most significant being assigned names: for example, the Great Flood, the Jubilee Flood, the Big Flood, The Biggest Since 1887, The Biggest Since 1936, The Big One and The Biggest.

Since its completion Greymouth has not suffered a significant flood, although the river has come close to the top of the flood wall several times.

Greymouth was proclaimed a borough on 16 July 1868, and on 26 August 1868 an election was held.

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From 1853 until the abolition of provinces in 1876, Greymouth was first part of Canterbury Province and then part of an independent Westland Province.

Greymouth Bar is a sandbar at the mouth of the Grey River.

Greymouth was founded during the West Coast gold rush of the 1860s, but for 150 years after this its economy was based on coal mining and native timber forestry.

Greymouth is known for its pounamu carving industry which goes back to Maori origins.

Greymouth has several state primary schools offering education up to year 8, and Greymouth High School providing secondary education.

In 2021 the Greymouth Operatic Society is a thriving operation, providing the opportunity for local performers, musician and stage crews to learn all things theatre.